Asthma Control Program

Mission

The Asthma Control Program works to provide leadership to improve health outcomes of all Rhode Islanders with asthma. Work includes increasing access to quality health care, asthma education, community resources, and services. In addition, the program addresses environmental determinants advocating for healthy environments where people with asthma live, work, learn, and play. The Asthma State Plan addresses all persons with asthma regardless of age, race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, or geographic area. Specific target populations include: people of low income, Hispanic adults and children, black non-Hispanic adults and children, women 65 years and older, Medicaid and Medicare recipients, and low income children and adults residing in the core cities (with a special focus on the City of Providence). These target groups were chosen based on current data in order to reduce disparities among populations disproportionately affected by asthma.

2010 Accomplishments and Milestones

• Provided support to Newport Housing Authority to establish smoke-free housing policy. All Newport Housing Authority resident housing units became smoke-free as of April 1, 2010.
• Significant improvements in intermediate outcome measures were seen among Rhode Island Chronic Care Collaborative Sustaining Asthma Teams. Among the 2,161 asthma patients they serve the percent with documented self-management goals increased from 34% in 2009 to 52% in 2010. In addition, among patients with asthma control assessed, 82% had well-controlled asthma in 2010 compared to 74% in 2009.

Funding

Since 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides the Asthma Control Program with financial support and expert guidance through a cooperative agreement with the Rhode Island Department of Health.

Community Partners

The Program works closely with the Rhode Island Asthma Control Coalition and the Healthy Housing Collaborative to help people with asthma manage their disease. The Asthma Control Coalition is comprised of 45 members from 37 organizations participating on workgroups to address asthma in the areas of Clinical Care, Healthy Housing, Schools, and Public Education.

Projects

Breathe Easy at Home

A innovative pilot project to diagnose and control asthma triggers in the home of children with asthma in select core cities. (more)